pre-weight training breakfast

[swingbolder]

Hi all,

I posted this in another thread but then on second thought decided to start a new topic.

I have my first appt. with a personal trainer at the YMCA who is going to orient me to the weight room and help me figure out a routine. I'm a novice. Can anyone suggest what I should eat beforehand. I am a "yoga head" type who is used to not eating anything for at least 3 hours before I work out, but I understand that with weight training I may need some protein (nut milk or greens) maybe an hour or so before hand. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, would such a meal differ first thing in the morning as opposed to a workout later on in the day?

Many thanks, for all and any opinions.

[Curleedst]

I am interested in this as well since I have also started weight training.



Hi all,

I posted this in another thread but then on second thought decided to start a new topic.

I have my first appt. with a personal trainer at the YMCA who is going to orient me to the weight room and help me figure out a routine. I'm a novice. Can anyone suggest what I should eat beforehand. I am a "yoga head" type who is used to not eating anything for at least 3 hours before I work out, but I understand that with weight training I may need some protein (nut milk or greens) maybe an hour or so before hand. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, would such a meal differ first thing in the morning as opposed to a workout later on in the day?

Many thanks, for all and any opinions.

[swingbolder]

I am interested in this as well since I have also started weight training.

I'm hesitant to ask the trainer about this tom'w, number one bc he might ridicule or denigrate the raw diet, and number two bc raw bodies and cooked bodies sometimes operate differently or respond differently to things and I'm not sure that the advice he will give will be suitable for a raw person.

[Eastersky]

I have just started working out, a change from Yoga. My friend, who set up a plan for me, said I need to drink a protien drink one hour before and directly after working out. It will help with recovery time. I bought raw vegan protien at the health food store in my area. My friend recommended 24 grams of protien before working out and 24 grams of protien after working out. I think that is a little high, so I am going to half that.

[Curleedst]

Easter which raw protein powder did you purchase?



I have just started working out, a change from Yoga. My friend, who set up a plan for me, said I need to drink a protien drink one hour before and directly after working out. It will help with recovery time. I bought raw vegan protien at the health food store in my area. My friend recommended 24 grams of protien before working out and 24 grams of protien after working out. I think that is a little high, so I am going to half that.

[paprika]

First, I'll just get right to the point and answer your question:
I work out at noon-hour and personally I feel I lift better when I'm well hydrated and I've had some carbs. I'll often have a big bowl of sunset pudding or a few oranges about half an hour before I go workout.

If you're just starting out, keep it simple. Have some fruit before you workout. If you haven't lifted before, you will be sore, just be ready for it. If the soreness is really bad try googling for "DOMS" (delayed onset muscle soreness). A little stretching, cardio, and ice can help.

Now, I'll start regurgitating five years of conventional bodybuilding knowledge:

I haven't heard much promotion of a specific pre-workout meal. A previous body-building plan I followed promoted working out in the morning on an empty stomach (with some water though).

What I have read in the weightlifting circles is more focused on post-workout nutrition. Your body does not build muscle WHILE you lift weight. Lifting weight will stress the muscle fibres, and then when you are at rest your body will rebuild them bigger and stronger. While you are lifting weights, your body will eat up a lot of carbs though. Weight lifting is a brief, but strenuous exercise that carbohydrate energy is better designed for than protein or fat energy.

The post-workout eating basics usually sound like this:
1. Some simple carbs ASAP. I've heard stories about guys carrying M&M candies in thier gym shorts so they can "carbo-load" right away.
2. A good amount of protein within an hour after the workout, and then more one or two hours later.

Wow, I could seriously write a book here but I think that covers your specific questions.

Eastersky: 24g of protein is a pretty good amount for one sitting. That's about how much I used to aim for on my meat-based bodybuilding diets. I'd ask your friend if they can explain why they recommend the protein before the workout, maybe they know something I don't!

[SparklePlenty]

Personally I would save the protein drink for post workout. I have a banana before working out first thing in the morning. That and water does me just fine.

[Curleedst]

Today I lifted weights on an empty stomach and just water and I was fine..but was hoping there was something I could eat beforehand that helps me feel powerful and go up on my weights.


I am increasing weights each and every week! WHOOOOO HOOO!


Personally I would save the protein drink for post workout. I have a banana before working out first thing in the morning. That and water does me just fine.

[tglasco4]

Before I workout I usually have either a fruit smoothie, OJ or whole fruit and a smoothie to boot. I let it digest for an hour and then I work out. I usually have some fruit again (usually banana) and maybe a few nuts after the workout because I have used up my breakfast on the workout as far as energy.

I think the best thing is to keep it simple and try not to make it complicated.

Peace.

Todd

[Mookie]

I have just started working out, a change from Yoga. My friend, who set up a plan for me, said I need to drink a protien drink one hour before and directly after working out. It will help with recovery time. I bought raw vegan protien at the health food store in my area. My friend recommended 24 grams of protien before working out and 24 grams of protien after working out. I think that is a little high, so I am going to half that.

Eastersky - where do you buy this raw vegan protein? What is the source?
Is it under a specific name brand?

Thanks!

[Eastersky]

I believe it is raw, but someone has to tell me. It is NutriBiotic Vegan Rice Protien. It says on the back that all processing temperatures are kept below 90 degrees F. The low temp and chemical free processing prevents denaturing of the amino acids.

Hope this helps.

[swingbolder]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

I do not like taking protein powders, hopefully a green smoothie a couple hours before (protein from the greens) and a nut milk afterwards will be sufficient. We'll see.

[madmel]

Why not give Alissa's Hemp Protein a try? Available at her store...

http://www.alissacohen.com/hempprotein.html

greetings, madmel

[squidly]

I have trained with weights for 13 years now (and am a part time Les Mills instructor) and on off raw path for a year - fruit is what I have before and after and also what Dr Douglas Graham recommends for his athletes.

Have some light fruit beforehand and then bananas or green smoothie afterwards within an hour. Your gylcogen levels restore better if you refuel within 2 hours. I also agree that muscle building is done when we rest not when we train

Enjoy and don't stress too much!

[Brianna]

I work out before I eat anything. I just drink some lemon water before my workout. Then after my workout I have wheatgrass juice and cucumber juice sometimes followed by some fruit.